Michaeng (Short Stories) Vol. 2

OMG 5

The wind was cold, biting at Nayeon's skin as she stood at the railing of the apartment rooftop, staring out at the vast city below her. The sun was setting, casting an orange glow over everything, but Nayeon didn't see any of it.

She felt like she was drowning, unable to come up for air, and the thought of continuing to live without Jeongyeon for 2 years felt unbearable.

But when she heard the soft sound of footsteps behind her, she wasn't surprised. Chaeyoung. Of course.

"Nayeon, please come down, please," Chaeyoung's voice trembled and was full of desperation.

Nayeon didn't turn to face her. She couldn't. She couldn't look at Chaeyoung, at anyone, not when all she wanted to do was disappear. The weight of it all was crushing her, and she just... couldn't handle it anymore.

"Stay away from me!" Nayeon cried out, her voice breaking as the tears spilled freely on her face. Her hands gripping the railing so tightly her knuckles were white. "Just let me. I'm tired, please..." The words were soft, pleading, as if she were begging someone—anyone—to understand her pain.

Chaeyoung's heart shattered at the sound of Nayeon's voice. "Nayeon, I know it's hard, but this won't change anything," she said softly. "Jeongyeon would never want this. She's heartbroken seeing you like this, she can't cross over until she knows you're okay. Please, Nayeon... She loves you."

Nayeon's entire body stiffened at the mention of Jeongyeon's name, her heart twisting in a way that felt like a physical ache. "She's gone, Chaeyoung. She's gone and I'm here... I'm here with all this guilt, with all this pain, and I don't know how to live with it."

The tears continued to fall, each one heavier than the last.

Chaeyoung stepped closer, closer still, until she was right behind Nayeon. She could feel the trembling in the air, could feel how Nayeon was fighting against the torrent of emotions threatening to swallow her whole. She took a deep breath.

"I know it feels impossible. But you're not alone in this, Nayeon. You have us. We all care about you. And I swear... I swear, Jeongyeon wouldn't want you to carry this burden alone. You have people who love you—your family, your friends... me. I'm here, Nayeon. And I won't let you go through this alone. Not now. Not ever."

For a long moment, there was nothing but the sound of Nayeon's labored breathing and the faint rustle of the wind.

Nayeon's hands began to loosen their grip on the railing, the tension slowly leaving her body. She closed her eyes, feeling the truth of Chaeyoung's words wash over her, "We'll take it one step at a time. Please, just come down. Please, Nayeon."

Chaeyoung extended her hand, a silent offer of comfort. Nayeon hesitated, then slowly, cautiously, took it.

"I'm here," Chaeyoung said quietly, leading her gently away from the edge.

As they walked together, Nayeon let the tears fall freely. She didn't know how to heal, or how to make sense of everything that had happened, but for the first time in days, months and even years, she felt like maybe—just maybe—she wouldn't have to do it alone.

Jeongyeon's spirit lingered nearby, a gentle smile on her face. "Tell her that I'm sorry I couldn't be there with her anymore, but God knows how deeply I love her,"

Chaeyoung whispered to Nayeon, holding her tightly.

Nayeon sobbed more intensely now, believing that Jeongyeon's presence was still with them. She didn't want to be selfish; she knew she had to let go. "The pendant... it has our picture in it... she's still here, right?" Nayeon asked softly.